NewSat Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Adrian Ballintine noted, â€œThe launch of Jabiru-2 is a significant event in NewSatâ€™s evolution, further evidence of NewSat maturing as a company and another milestone achieved as NewSat expands into a global satellite operator. The launch was simultaneously broadcast live globally, observed by NewSat staff, key partners and special guests. I would like to thank customers, staff and investors for their support of this initiative.â€

In the past itâ€™s been a middle-man in the communications market, hiring bandwidth from other satellites, adding value services to it and on-selling that bandwidth.

Owning a satellite has long been the dream of NewSatâ€™s chief executive Adrian Ballantine, his chief technology officer, David Ball, and vice president satellite strategy, Mike Kenneally (brother of radio broadcaster John Kenneally).

The satellite will now undergo in-orbit testing and will be placed in operational service in approximately four weeks.

NewSat has come from virtually nowhere to being one of Australiaâ€™s largest companies. Next up is Jabiru 1, due to lift off in 2015.